Sabrina's POV
Yet, I held back my feelings, choosing to maintain a polite smile before finally turning to leave with Nicholas. As we walked out of the restaurant, I felt Nicholas's hand grip mine tightly, as if he could sense my unease. I turned to him, and he looked at me for a moment before saying, "Don’t think about him. I’m here." I nodded slightly, trying to calm my mind. But I knew this wasn’t over. After leaving the restaurant, we decided to spend time at the famous amusement park in the city. Charlie looked so excited, holding Nicholas's and my hand while continually asking what ride we would go on first. Once we arrived at the amusement park, the colorful flashing lights welcomed us with a festive atmosphere. The laughter of running children and the cheerful music floating in the air made this place feel so alive. Charlie jumped with joy, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the various ridesSabrina's POV Nicholas came and immediately knelt in front of Charlie, gently holding him shoulders. "Charlie, you can’t just go off on your own like that. This is a strange place, and we were so worried about losing you." Charlie looked down, his voice soft. "I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to..." I sighed in relief and kissed his forehead. "The important thing is that you’re back now. But next time, don’t go without telling us, okay?" Charlie nodded quickly, his eyes a bit watery. "I promise, Mom." Seeing the moment between Nicholas and Charlie warmed my heart. Our family was the most important thing, and even though this situation made me anxious, our togetherness provided a sense of safety. We had been through so much together, and moments like this reminded me of how meaningful our relationships were. Nicholas gave Charlie a gentle smile, then tur
Sabrina's POV Nicholas gently stroked my shoulder. "You need to rest too, Sabrina. Today has been tiring for all of us." I nodded, though I was still reluctant to leave Charlie’s side. I wanted to make sure he was really safe. Nicholas took my hand and gently pulled me. "Come on, let him sleep. We need to rest too." Finally, I stood up, glancing at Charlie one more time before following Nicholas to our bed. Tonight had been full of unexpected events, but the most important thing was that we were still together. And that was more than enough for me. Once we lay down, Nicholas turned off the light, and the room became quiet. In the dark, I felt comfortable with Nicholas beside me. We held hands, as if it were a reminder that we were not alone. With my thoughts calm, I let myself sink into the warmth and love that we shared.
Sabrina's POV After breakfast was over and Nicholas left to meet his client, I decided to spend some time with Charlie. This was a rare opportunity for me to go out just the two of us, without distractions or being rushed by a schedule. Charlie looked very excited as we exited the hotel. "Mom, where are we going?" he asked, gripping my hand tightly. I smiled. "How about we go see the River Thames? We can walk along its banks, enjoy the views, and maybe try some London snacks." Charlie immediately nodded with bright eyes. "I want to! I also want to see the Tower Bridge!" We strolled leisurely through the city. The morning air in London felt cool, and the bustling atmosphere of the city gave a different energy. I enjoyed every step we took, while Charlie continued to chatter about various things that caught his interest. When we reached the banks of the River Thames,
Hazel's POV As I opened the apartment door, I let out a long sigh. Today had been quite exhausting. The fitness class went as usual, but my mind kept drifting to various troubling thoughts. I kicked off my shoes carelessly, threw my bag onto the sofa, and walked toward the kitchen, intending to grab a glass of cold water to refresh my mind.However, before my hand could open the fridge, my phone rang. Frowning, I pulled my phone from my bag. An unknown number was displayed on the screen. Who could be calling at this hour?At first, I wanted to ignore it, but for some reason, a strange feeling emerged in my mind. Hesitantly, I pressed the answer button and brought the phone to my ear.“Hello?” My voice sounded flat, a bit tired.“Hi, Hazel.”That voice made my body tense up immediately. I recognized it clearly. No way. After all this time, why now?“Adrian?” I murmured sharply.Adrian chuckled softly on the othe
Hazel's POV “But that’s what you want, right?” he replied in an overly casual tone. “I just want to help you.”I shot him a sharp look. “Why do you suddenly want to help me? I don’t need your help, Adrian.”He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Are you sure?”I fell silent, my mouth feeling dry. His words reflected a deep uncertainty. On one hand, I knew I was strong enough to face this problem on my own. On the other hand, my heart wondered if there was a way to fix everything that had been broken.The atmosphere between us grew tenser, and I could feel the discomfort flowing in the air. The mixed feelings left me bewildered. Why did he suddenly want to get involved again after being gone for so long?Adrian seemed to study my facial reactions, as if searching for a way back into my life. How could he act as if everything was fine after all that had happened?I struggled to gather my thoughts, trying to und
Hazel's POV I wanted my child back. I wanted to prove that I could be a better mother for him. I wanted to show the world, especially Sabrina, that Charlie should be with me, not her. But did I really want to depend on a man like Adrian?I took a deep breath, trying to control the emotions swirling inside me. "Tell me one thing, Adrian," I finally said. "If I accept your offer, what guarantee do I have that you won’t just discard me once you get what you want?"He smiled, his expression hard to read. "I’m not the kind of man who likes to throw away valuable assets, Hazel."Assets? I clenched my jaw, feeling sickened by his choice of words. I wasn’t his asset. I wasn’t a pawn in his business chess game.But I also knew that if I rejected him now, I might lose my only chance to win Charlie back.I stared at him for a long time, trying to read his intentions. Adrian had always been a calculating m
Nicholas’s POV I stepped into my office building with a steady stride, even though my mind was still filled with the various events that had transpired lately. I let out a long sigh. I didn’t want to keep thinking about that woman, but for some reason, she always appeared in my life, as if she would never truly leave.Once I arrived at my office, my secretary, Laura, was already standing there with a tablet in her hands, ready with today’s schedule. I took off my jacket and hung it on the back of my chair before looking at her with a nod."What’s on my agenda today?" I asked as I sat down.Laura quickly opened the schedule on her tablet. "This morning you have an internal meeting with the finance team, followed by a meeting with the head of the marketing division. Then at one o'clock, you’re scheduled to meet with Adrian."I looked up, my expression instantly sharpening. "Adrian?"Laura seemed hesitant for a
Nicholas’s POV In situations like this, I had to stay vigilant and ready for any possibility. Adrian might have deeper plans, and I couldn’t let myself get trapped in his game.Minutes passed, and then I saw someone enter the restaurant. As the figure walked closer, my body tensed immediately. Hazel.She was dressed formally, wearing a black blazer paired with a knee-length skirt. Her hair was neatly styled, and her face conveyed a confident expression. But I knew Hazel. I could tell that behind that expression, she was hiding something."Sorry to keep you waiting," she said as she pulled out a chair next to Adrian.I stared at her sharply, sensing the tension in the air. Her presence here surprised me and added a layer of complexity to this meeting. What was really going on? Why did Adrian feel the need to invite her?These two sat in front of me, and I felt like I was caught in a game I didn’t understand. With my heart racing, I tr
Sabrina's POV I had just arrived home after dropping Charlie off at school. As I opened the door, the gentle aroma of the empty house welcomed me. I placed my bag and keys on the small table near the entrance, taking a deep breath in an attempt to dispel the heavy silence that felt more oppressive today.Every corner of this house reminded me of the beautiful moments we had shared together. However, now everything felt empty without Nicholas's presence. I walked slowly into the living room, feeling the stillness envelop me.Sitting on the sofa, I reflected on how my days were always filled with noise and laughter. Now, everything seemed to have come to a halt. I picked up my phone and checked the screen, hoping for a message from him, but there was none.“I can get through this,” I whispered, trying to calm myself. Maybe I could do something to fill the time, something that would make me feel better. I got up and headed to the kitchen, intending to pr
Sabrina's POV Charlie looked proud to hear that. He puffed out his little chest, making me smile even more.When we arrived home, I helped Charlie take off his shoes on the porch. We went inside, and the aroma of chicken soup wafting from the kitchen immediately filled our noses.Charlie sniffed the air and exclaimed, “Wow, your cooking smells amazing, Mom!”I ruffled his hair gently. “Let’s wash our hands first, then we can eat.”We went to the bathroom, washing our hands together while laughing as Charlie played with soap bubbles. After that, we sat at the dining table. I poured warm soup into Charlie’s bowl, arranging it with cute-shaped vegetables, star-shaped carrots, and heart-shaped potatoes to make him more excited to eat.As the first spoonful entered his mouth, his eyes widened. “It’s so good, Mom!”I laughed. “You like it?”He nodded quickly. “Yes! Daddy has to try this later!”I held my breath f
Sabrina's POV I tried to focus on the road, but the image of his face kept haunting me. I imagined how he was doing now, in London, facing heavy challenges. “Is he okay? Does he feel alone?” I asked myself.Every question haunted my mind, but I knew I had to be strong. For Charlie, for Nicholas, and for myself.Upon arriving home, I walked slowly to the living room, sat on the sofa, and reached for a small photo album lying on the table. I hadn’t opened the album in a long time, but today, for some reason, I wanted to see the smiles captured by the camera.The first thing I saw was a photo of Charlie as a toddler, hugged by Nicholas while smiling brightly. His little face full of happiness reminded me of those simple times. It felt like just yesterday when he was learning to walk, and Nicholas was always there to catch him whenever he fell.I continued to the photo from Charlie's first birthday. Nicholas and I stood in the background, ou
Sabrina's POVThis morning felt a bit quieter. There was no sound of Nicholas's footsteps usually heard from the bathroom to the kitchen, no sleepy smile as he pulled out a chair for breakfast. It was the second day without his presence, and I was still trying to adjust.Every corner of this house felt empty, as if everything had lost its color. I sat at the dining table, staring at the empty plate in front of me. The aroma of coffee that usually warmed the atmosphere now only reminded me of his absence. I tried to distract myself by reading a book, but the words on the pages felt flat and meaningless.I remembered the little moments with him—how he would often tease me when I was too serious, or how he always remembered little details about me. Without him, my days seemed dull and monotonous.Taking a deep breath, I stood up from the table. Maybe I needed to go out and get some fresh air. But before that, I glanced at our photo on the wall. His b
Nicholas’s POV Leaning back in the car seat, I took a deep breath. I knew this journey was not just about saving the project, but also about saving trust—trust from clients, trust from my family, and perhaps, my own trust in the people I had once considered important.I opened my phone again, staring at the wallpaper photo, me, Sabrina, and Charlie in the park last week. They were the reason I had to resolve all of this. I couldn’t fail.“I’ll be home soon,” I whispered to the screen now displaying the digital boarding pass. “For you.”The plane was set to take off in one hour, and I was already sitting in the airport waiting lounge, alone with my endlessly spinning thoughts. My laptop was on my lap, but not a single email I read truly registered in my mind. I just stared at the blank screen while my thoughts returned to one point—Hazel.Why did she do it? What was her motivation? I knew she loved Charlie. But this… this wasn’
Nicholas’s POV I suddenly sank back in my chair. My body felt stiff, and my head felt like it had been hit with a blunt object. The project with Mr. Harrington wasn’t just any project; it was a long-term strategic partnership that would expand our business network into Europe. Everything was almost finalized. And now, canceled?I squeezed my temples with both hands. The missing report, Hazel avoiding me, and now this. Everything felt clearer. But there was no time to get caught up in anger or shock.I had to move quickly. With my mind starting to focus, I reopened my laptop and began checking all the data related to the project. If there were discrepancies, I needed to find them before Mr. Harrington made his final decision.One thing was certain: I couldn’t let this end like this. I had to find Hazel, get an explanation from her, and perhaps—just perhaps—find a way to save this project.“Book the fastest flight to London for today!” I c
Nicholas’s POV I had been holding my phone for five minutes, staring at the screen with Hazel's name clearly displayed. Anger bubbled inside me, but there was also deep disappointment. Even so, I knew I couldn’t resolve this with just emotions. I needed clarity. I needed direct answers from her.So, with a deep breath, I pressed the green button and brought the phone to my ear. But she didn’t answer.Seconds ticked by, feeling more and more tense. I tried calling again, but the result was the same. The courage I had built up began to fade, replaced by anxiety and frustration.What should I do now? If she was indeed involved, maybe she already knew I was suspicious. With each passing second, negative thoughts gnawed at me.The ringing tone continued until I finally heard her voice on the other end. “Hello?” “Hazel, it’s Nicholas.” There was a brief silence, then I heard her usual tone. “Oh… why are you calling
Nicholas’s POV My heart began to race. This wasn’t just an ordinary document. Inside were details of the monthly report, fund allocation strategies, and financing plans for new projects. Everything was sensitive.I stood and walked to the shelf in the corner of the room, checking the extra folders I sometimes used to store copies. Still nothing. “Strange…” I muttered as I sat back down and rubbed my temples.My mind drifted to many things. I hadn’t opened that document yesterday. So who did? My secretary was always meticulous and wouldn’t randomly move important documents without my knowledge. And the only person in my office yesterday was Hazel.I shook my head quickly, trying to dismiss the suspicion that arose. But my mind was starting to be clouded with discomfort. I rarely made mistakes with paperwork, especially something so crucial.Quickly, I pressed the intercom button. “Please come to my office now.” “Sure, sir.”
Nicholas’s POV Today was long, and I had to be strong for everything. A sense of responsibility flowed within me, pushing me to remain steadfast. With each passing second, I was determined to give my best for our family.Charlie began to tell stories about his friends at school, his cheerful voice filling the car. I tried to listen, although my thoughts still wandered to heavier matters. However, seeing his smile made me feel a little better.“Papa, look! There’s a dog!” he suddenly exclaimed, pulling my attention back to the road.I smiled, trying to engage in his excitement. “Yeah, champ! The dog is cute, isn’t it?”As soon as the car stopped right in front of the school gate, Charlie eagerly unbuckled his seatbelt. “Charlie’s off to school now, Papa!” he exclaimed as he reached for his bag in the back seat. I turned to him and placed a hand on his shoulder for a moment. “Wait a second.” Charlie stopped and looked at